ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies Volleyball team is set to open Horizon League action on the road to face the Green Bay Phoenix Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Kress Center. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Oakland wrapped up non-conference play with a split at the Oakland Invitational, earning a thrilling 3-2 win over Marist before falling 3-0 to Illinois State in the finale. Liv Hosford led the way against Marist with 18 kills and 19 digs, while Molly Reck added 14 kills and 19 digs. Reck followed with 10 kills and 10 digs against Illinois State as the Golden Grizzlies finished nonconference play at 5-7 and now turn their attention to Horizon League play.
Middle blocker Lillian Frias and outside hitter Molly Reck were named to the Oakland Invitational All-Tournament team following impressive performances across Oakland's two matches. Reck posted 24 kills, 29 digs, three aces and two blocks while hitting .315, including a double-double with 14 kills and 19 digs in the win over Marist. Frias provided a consistent presence at the net, recording 18 kills and 10 blocks while hitting .297 across the weekend. She tallied 11 kills and six blocks against Marist before adding seven kills and four blocks against Illinois State.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 18
TIME: 7 p.m. ET
STREAM: ESPN+
LIVE STATS | TICKETS
SUNDAY, SEPT. 20
TIME: 3 p.m. ET
STREAM: ESPN+
LIVE STATS | TICKETS
SCOUTING THE PHOENIX
Green Bay enters its series with Oakland at 7-4 overall after winning five of its last six matches, including big Power 4 wins over Virginia Tech and Northwestern. GB is hitting .233 as a team and averages 12.9 kills and 11.7 assists per set, led by Diane Pichelman with 130 kills while hitting .369. Gillian Koning has added 98 kills, while Alexa Hernandez leads the offense with 424 assists. Defensively, the Phoenix averages 13.8 digs and 2.2 blocks per set, with Pichelman also leading the team with 18 aces.
The Phoenix hold the upperhand all-time against Oakland with a 19-14 record as Green Bay has won the last five meetings dating back to 2023. Green Bay took both matches against the Golden Grizzlies last season on the Blacktop, winning both matches, 3-1.
How to Follow Oakland Volleyball: For complete information on Oakland Volleyball, follow the team on X at @OaklandWVB and head coach Krista Rice at @KKg1007. The team is also on Instagram.
